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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Nursery worker smoking

63 replies

Russell19 · 02/10/2019 13:48

My DS will soon be going to a very local nursery (think small village) AIBU to be put off by what I saw today?

Right next to the nursery was a worker wearing nursery branded clothes, polo and fleece smoking a cigarette. I get that people smoke, nothing against that but I naively thought they would change clothes or something to smoke. Never really thought about it before so fully prepared to be told IABU or facts about passive smoking or smoke on clothes.

(Husband, I and all family are non smokers so may impact my judgement)

Is it an issue or not? Just wondered what others' thoughts were.

OP posts:
Untamedtoad · 02/10/2019 15:58

I would not be happy sending my child to a place that allows this. Definitely flag it up with then, and if you decide not to use this place, let them know why and hopefully they'll crack down on some stricter policies with their staff regarding this. They shouldn't be smoking on the premises, and they shouldn't be doing it in their uniform. No excuse for it. If they choose to smoke they should change clothes, leave the premises, and not return for at least 30 mins imo.

seaweedandmarchingbands · 02/10/2019 16:02

This is going to happen on some level in any nursery or school into which you put your child. I have taught with teachers who reeked of smoke. Personally I think it’s disgusting, but I don’t think you can tell them they can’t smoke in their break.

Drogosnextwife · 02/10/2019 16:08

As long as they're not smoking near any children, I can't really see the problem. I think people are becoming overly precious about smoking.

CantstandmLMs · 02/10/2019 16:09

The nursery next to us (Same road) is the same. Loads of smokers who work at the nursery all stand outside just down the road but in uniform smoking! It really bothers me at the thought of them all over the children after that

dontpooyoureyesturnbrown · 02/10/2019 16:14

YANBU
I used to work in a nursery many moons ago and a lot of the staff smoked . I would hope they washed their hands afterwards but no they did not change clothes and absolutely stunk of cig smoke afterwards
Whilst caring for the babies.
Disgusting

Rachelover60 · 02/10/2019 16:28

He/she wasn't smoking in the nursery, he was having a fag break outside which is what smokers do. He is hardly going to contaminate the children and being out in the open air will mean he probably doesn't smell of smoke.

I don't smoke but I used to, quite a lot, gave up quite a long time ago. I can assure you that no one at work knew I smoked unless they saw me or I told them. They were surprised if they found out because I didn't smell like a smoker. It's possible to smoke and not smell of it if you want to.

You can't police people when they are having a break outside.

Rachelover60 · 02/10/2019 16:29

Sorry to have used 'quite' twice in second paragraph.

KylieKoKo · 02/10/2019 16:36

You can't police what childcare workers do on their breaks. In the nicest possible way, the only way you can guarantee that smokers won't handle your child is to sacrifice your career and do the childcare yourself. There will be lots of things that childcare workers do that you would not do yourself, some big, some small. You will need to get used to that if you want your child to attend nursery.

BoomyBooms · 02/10/2019 17:14

YANBU! There is growing evidence around the risks of third hand smoke and I wouldn't want my child exposed to it. Best practise for smoke free workplaces is for employees to hide their uniform and smoke off premises but lots of employers are unaware of that, don't want to sign up to it, or sign up to it and are still too scared to enforce it. But if you make a complaint as a parent you might find they have a word with her.

Try action on smoking and health website for third hand smoke info, perhaps include a link to that in your complaint email.

BoomyBooms · 02/10/2019 17:15

Lots of people saying that you can't police people if they're outside on their break, that's not accurate as it depends on what the employers policy is!

thenightfury · 02/10/2019 17:16

It would put me off. But none of my family are smokers either. The worker should be wearing a coat/ different jacket at least IMO

Shayisgreat · 02/10/2019 17:22

When I worked in a nursery some colleagues got in quite a bit of trouble because they were seen by parents in their uniforms outside the nursery smoking. We had a smoking area and were supposed to change clothes when goung out there.

It's probably worth raising with the nursery because these workers will be in very close contact with your child and it is well documented that even 3rd hand smoke has health risks for children.

StockTakeFucks · 02/10/2019 17:24

It wouldn't really bother me, but I'm a smoker too. However,I would mention smoking whilst in uniform. It's not hard to throw a coat on.

Nonnymum · 02/10/2019 17:25

I don't think it's the case that the nursery can't do amything. They can in insist that the staff don't smoke in their uniforms and that they don't smoke in the visinity of the nursery. I don't think you are being unreasonable to be unsettled by this.

EmmiJay · 02/10/2019 17:25

Maybe the nursery worker has two fleeces? One for chillier days like today and one she wears indoors with the children. Maybe she washes her hands and has a mint before returning to the nursery? Just ask when you next go in. I'm a menthol smoker (5 a day) and nobody knows until they actually catch me having a crafty one, so maybe she doesn't smell strongly of smoke..?

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 02/10/2019 17:27

If they are washing their hands and possible remove the “smoking jacket” even tho they don’t have too I cannot see an issue, you’ll be hard pushed to find any setting that all staff members don’t smoke.

BitchySite · 02/10/2019 17:27

The issue is smoking and passive smoke can be a factor in SIDS deaths.
So these disgusting smokers should not be employed.

Killerqueen9 · 02/10/2019 17:34

I used to work in a nursery and am an ex-smoker. I was only allowed to smoke during my unpaid breaks and I HAD to change my clothes. It was forbidden to be seen smoking wearing the nursery logo. I was always very ashamed of my smoking and would go and hide somewhere as not to be seen by anyone. After getting changed back in to uniform I always washed my hands, ate a mint and spritzed some perfume. I never would have handled children whilst smelling of smoke. I would definitely bring It up - it's looks very unprofessional and brings down the nursery name.

Killerqueen9 · 02/10/2019 17:39

BitchySite eh I think that's a bit extreme to discriminate people who smoke. It's their own choice. You can have rules against smoking during working hours but to not employ them at all is a bit harsh.. yes smoking is a nasty habit but it's an addiction. Your attitude is what's disgusting.

hopski · 02/10/2019 17:50

@RobinsParasiticEye make sure you tell EVERY Single person who looks after your child to not wear perfume then including yourself!! If you read my post then you would see I wear a coat when smoking but I use the perfume just incase and if you really need to know people are actually shocked when they find out I smoke!

Molly2017 · 02/10/2019 18:01

My DD went to a nursery where the staff smoked (I would say 80% smoked). It did put me off. But I justified it to myself as they only took children from age 2, the children spent a lot of time outside, it had a good reputation and I knew people who used it and were happy, it was one of the cheaper ones in my area and the location was perfect.
Overall I made my peace with it but I would totally understand why someone would seek an alternative because the staff smoked.

callmeadoctor · 02/10/2019 18:06

How can smokers not smell of cigarettes (and say they don't). It stays in your hair (as well as clothes). Of course anyone that smokes is going to say that they don't smell Confused

RobinsParasiticEye · 02/10/2019 18:12

@hopski I don’t wear perfume ever and yes I’ve requested that care givers don’t either- I have autistic children with sensory issues. No one should have an artificial smell thrusted upon them and as I said previously it doesn’t mask the smokiness but compounds it.

Rachelover60 · 02/10/2019 18:19

I washed my hair every day and also had clean clothes every day. At night my hair probably smelled smoky but I was home then so it didn't matter.

Molly, I'm sure the staff who smoked at the nursery didn't smoke around the children, that wouldn't have been allowed.

I've been a lot healthier generally since I gave up smoking - I don't cough for a start. I don't mind others smoking though, it's up to them what they do in their own time.

EmmiJay · 02/10/2019 18:22

Callmeadoctor - I'd love for you to come and sniff me but that is weird..? LOL. I don't smoke in my coats/jackets, I'm constantly washing and changing my clothes my hair lives in a bun with gel Grin and I practically swim in bleach whilst cleaning so maybe thats why. Who knows.